Barcelona, June 12: David Beckham was offered the chance to lead a rebuilt Barcelona Dream Team on Wednesday (June 11), as Joan Laporta stepped up his campaign to convince the England captain to swap Manchester for the Mediterranean. Beckham appears certain to leave the premier league before the start of next season and Barcelona are the front runners to sign him after Laporta, a candidate in the club's presidential election, had an offer conditionally accepted by Manchester United. Laporta, who will find out on Sunday (June 15) if his election bid has been successful, was unable to announce any significant progress in his attempt to persuade Beckham to move to the Nou Camp, and the feeling in Spain and England is that Real Madrid are poised to step in. "Our negotiations are under way to convince the agents that his representative comes to Barcelona because our team needs in our programme a leader with the qualities of David Beckham," said Laporta. "Our club is interested in this incorporation, our city wants his family to come to our city and our country, and I'm sure that if he decides, his agent and him, David Beckham. I have references from him that he is a very nice person, he is an excellent player, and at the same time a very nice person and I hope to convince him that it would be interesting for him to come to Barcelona and the football club Barcelona." While Real can boast the most attractive team in the world, Barcelona are nearing the end of a desperate domestic campaign, will not be playing in next season's Champions League and are struggling to make the second-tier UEFA Cup.



Despite this, Laporta is confident that he will be able to persuade Beckham and his representatives to come to Barcelona.


"I respect Alex Ferguson, I respect David Beckham, I respect the agents and their positions, and I hope and I'm confident to get the incorporation of David Beckham into the football club of Barcelona if I'm president," he said. Beckham is on holiday in the United States with his wife, the former Spice Girl Victoria Adams, and children and not due back until the weekend.


He will return to a plea from Laporta's people for urgent talks and ever more intense interest from the British and Spanish media, who are relishing a story that looks set to run for a long while yet.


Bureau Report